Criminal Justice, Associate of Applied Science

Program Description

The Criminal Justice Program is offered completely online. Students will begin to explore the field of Criminal Justice, which includes areas such as human services, social work, juvenile justice, law enforcement, corrections, parole and probation, criminal law, and the courts. Criminal Justice is a multi-faceted field and the Criminal Justice Program provides students the opportunities to acquire and practice desired career skills such as empathy, active listening, and cultural competency to engage in ethical practices that promote human and professional growth, dignity, respect and self-determination. Candidates entering the program should have excellent organizational skills, the ability to work in a team (collaborative) setting, and a genuine desire to help others.

Program Outcomes

Students who successfully complete an Associate of Applied Science degree in Criminal Justice will:

  1. Identify the major steps of the criminal justice process and how a case proceeds through the criminal justice system, including landmark Supreme Court decisions.
  2. Communicate effectively in the criminal justice system including written, verbal and nonverbal form.
  3. Describe how criminal justice professionals work effectively within a diverse society.
  4. Describe the importance of positive criminal justice interactions, with an emphasis on continuing dialogue between all aspects of the criminal justice system and all segments of the community.
  5. Demonstrate appropriate work ethic to effectively interact with diverse persons within society with respect to culture, heritage, gender, and age.

Career Considerations

The Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice is designed to prepare graduates to enter occupations within the criminal justice field.

Program Course Requirements

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
First TermCredits
CJ 101 Intro to Criminology 3
CJ 105 Concepts of Criminal Law 3
CJ 110 Intro to Law Enforcement 3
WR 115
or WR 117
 Intro to Expos Writing (or higher)
or Writing for Trades
 4
 Credits13
Second Term
CJ 120 Intro to Judicial Process 3
CJ 140 Intro to Criminalistics 3
MTH 104 Math Literacy (or higher) 4
Program Elective 1 3
 Credits13
Third Term
CJ 114 Diversity Issues in CJ 3
CJ 130 Intro to Corrections 3
PSY 101 Psychology of Human Relations 3
SOC 204Z Introduction to Sociology 4
Program Elective 1 4
 Credits17
Second Year
First Term
CJ 243 Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs 3
CJ 261 Intro to Parole and Probation 3
PSY 201Z Introduction to Psychology I 4
Program Elective 1 3
Program Elective 1 3
 Credits16
Second Term
CJ 211 Ethics in Criminal Justice 3
CJ 226 Intro to Constitutional Law 3
PSY 202Z Introduction to Psychology II 4
SOC 207 Juvenile Delinquency 3
Program Elective 1 3
 Credits16
Third Term
CJ 210 Criminal Investigations 3
CJ 230 Intro-Juvenile Justice System 3
CJ 240 Criminalistics II 3
COM 111Z
or COM 218Z
 Public Speaking
or Interpersonal Communication
 4
SOC 225 Social Aspects of Addiction 3
 Credits16
 Total Minimum Credits91
1

Program elective

Approved Criminal Justice Electives

BA 161Career Planning1
BA 165Customer Service3
CIS 120Intro to Digital Literacy4
CJ 280CWE-Criminal Justice1-4
HS 102Addiction Pharmacology3
HS 227Family Systems and Trauma3
HS 267Culturally Informed Care3
LA 102Legal Terminology3
PS 201United States Government I4
SDP 109Elements of Supervision3
WR 227ZTechnical Writing4

Advising Notes

  • Please see your academic advisor for an individualized academic plan.
  • VA students, please see academic advisor for individualized academic plan to meet funding requirements.
  • A PC with MS Word 2013 or newer is required for completing all work in this program. Working knowledge of MS Word is required. 

  • All courses must be passed with a grade of C or better.